Rahim AlHaj was born in Baghdad, Iraq and began playing the ud at age nine. His talent was immediately recognized and he quickly began studying under legendary oud masters. In 1990, Rahim graduated from the Institute of Music in Baghdad and soon after immigrated to Syria and Jordan, forced out of his homeland due to his political activism against the Saddam Hussein regime. In 2000, he arrived to United States as a political refugee and has lived in Albuquerque ever since.

Rahim?s music delicately combines traditional Iraqi maqams with contemporary styling and influence. His compositions are about the experience of exile from his homeland and of new beginnings in his adopted country. Rahim is recording four new CD?s in 2005, including a recording of traditional Iraqi ud music for Smithsonian Folkways, new compositions with a string quartet and a live duo recording with sitar player Umjad Ali Khan.

Official Web Site: www.rahimalhaj.com